Motion-damping systems and methods including the same

ABSTRACT

Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems are configured to damp relative motion between a base structure and an attached component that define a gap therebetween. The systems include an at least substantially rigid tubular structure that defines an internal volume and extends within the gap. The systems also include a magnetic assembly and a magnetically active body. One of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is located within the tubular structure and the other of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is operatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly is in magnetic communication with the magnetically active body such that a magnetic interaction therebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to the base structure. The methods include dissipating energy with the motion-damping system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/105,046, which is entitled“MOTION-DAMPING SYSTEMS AND METHODS INCLUDING THE SAME,” which was filedon Dec. 12, 2013, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD

The present disclosure is directed generally to motion-damping systems,and more particularly to motion-damping systems that are configured todamp relative motion between a base structure and an attached component.

BACKGROUND

A base structure may include an attached component that is configured tomove (such as to rotate and/or translate) relative to the basestructure. Under certain conditions, it may be desirable to damprelative motion and/or vibration between the base structure and theattached component.

As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, an aircraft may includeexternal attached components, such as flaps, that may be configured tobe actuated and/or moved relative to a remainder of the aircraft, suchas during and/or to control flight of the aircraft. These externalattached components may be subject to significant wind and/or dragforces during flight of the aircraft, and these forces may producevibration and/or flutter of the external attached components. Flutter isa self-feeding, or resonant, condition in which the forces couple with anatural frequency of the external attached component, generating largerand larger amplitude vibrations between the external attached componentand the aircraft.

Conventionally, aircraft include hydraulic dampers that may be utilizedto damp relative motion of the external attached component. While thesehydraulic dampers may be effective at damping relative motion and/orvibration, they may be complicated, heavy, and/or costly to implementand/or maintain. Thus, there exists a need for improved motion-dampingsystems.

SUMMARY

Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systemsare disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems are configured to damprelative motion between a base structure and an attached component thatdefine a gap therebetween. The systems include an at least substantiallyrigid tubular structure that defines an internal volume and extendswithin the gap. The systems also include a magnetic assembly and amagnetically active body. One of the magnetic assembly and themagnetically active body is located within the tubular structure and theother of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body isoperatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and theattached component. The magnetic assembly is in magnetic communicationwith the magnetically active body such that a magnetic interactiontherebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to thebase structure.

In some embodiments, the magnetically active body includes aferromagnetic body. In some embodiments, the magnetically active bodyincludes an electrically conductive body. In some embodiments, themagnetically active body includes both the ferromagnetic body and theelectrically conductive body. In some embodiments, the electricallyconductive body is located between the ferromagnetic body and themagnetic assembly. In some embodiments, the magnetic assembly and theferromagnetic body are oriented such that a magnetic force therebetweengenerates a normal force between the ferromagnetic body and theelectrically conductive body.

In some embodiments, the magnetic assembly includes a magnet. In someembodiments, the magnetic assembly includes a pair of magnets. In someembodiments, a ferromagnetic flux return bar extends between two magnetsof the pair of magnets. In some embodiments, the magnetic assemblyincludes a plurality of pairs of magnets. In some embodiments, anelectrical insulator extends between a given pair of magnets and anadjacent pair of magnets of the plurality of pairs of magnets.

In some embodiments, the tubular structure is operatively affixed to oneof the base structure and the attached component. In some embodiments,the magnetically active body is located within the internal volume ofthe tubular structure. In some embodiments, the magnetic assembly isoperatively affixed to the other of the base structure and the attachedcomponent. In some embodiments, the motion-damping system includes aplurality of magnetic assemblies and a plurality of magnetically activebodies.

The methods include dissipating energy with the motion-damping systemduring rotation of the attached component relative to the basestructure. In some embodiments, the dissipating may include dissipatingenergy via generation of an eddy current. In some embodiments, thedissipating may include dissipating energy via deformation of aviscoelastic material. In some embodiments, the dissipating may includedissipating energy via a magnetic force. In some embodiments, thedissipating may include dissipating energy via a frictional force. Insome embodiments, the dissipating may include resisting motion of theattached component relative to the base structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of illustrative, non-exclusiveexamples of an aircraft that may be utilized with and/or include thesystems and methods according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of illustrative, non-exclusiveexamples of a motion-damping system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of illustrative,non-exclusive examples of a motion-damping system according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is another schematic representation of illustrative,non-exclusive examples of a motion-damping system according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of illustrative, non-exclusiveexamples of a portion of a motion-damping system according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting methods according to the presentdisclosure of damping motion between a base structure and an attachedcomponent.

DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6 provide illustrative, non-exclusive examples of motion-dampingsystems 100 according to the present disclosure, of mechanical systems18 that may include and/or utilize motion-damping systems 100, and/or ofmethods of utilizing motion-damping systems 100. Elements that serve asimilar, or at least substantially similar, purpose are labeled withlike numbers in each of FIGS. 1-6, and these elements may not bediscussed in detail herein with reference to each of FIGS. 1-6.Similarly, all elements may not be labeled in each of FIGS. 1-6, butreference numerals associated therewith may be utilized herein forconsistency. Elements, components, and/or features that are discussedherein with reference to one or more of FIGS. 1-6 may be included inand/or utilized with any of FIGS. 1-6 without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

In general, elements that are likely to be included in a given (i.e., aparticular) embodiment and/or method are illustrated in solid lines,while elements that are optional to a given embodiment and/or method areillustrated in dashed lines. However, elements that are shown in solidlines are not essential to all embodiments and/or methods, and anelement shown in solid lines may be omitted from a particular embodimentand/or method without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of illustrative, non-exclusiveexamples of a mechanical system 18, such as an aircraft 20 that may beutilized with and/or include the systems and methods according to thepresent disclosure. Aircraft 20 includes wings 22 that are attached to afuselage 30. Aircraft 20 also includes horizontal stabilizers 24 and avertical stabilizer 26 that are attached to a tail 28.

Aircraft 20 further includes a plurality of attached components 40.Attached components 40 may be configured to be actuated, to rotate, totranslate, and/or to otherwise move relative to a remainder of aircraft20 and also may be referred to herein as actuated components 40, movingcomponents 40, and/or movable components 40. Attached components 40 mayinclude, be associated with, be operatively attached to, be operativelycoupled to, be directly coupled to, and/or be affixed to one or moremotion-damping systems 100 according to the present disclosure.Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of actuated components 40 includeany suitable main landing gear door 42, nose landing gear door 43, flap44 (or trailing edge flap 44), rudder 46, elevator 48, slat 50 (orleading edge slat 50), aileron 52, and/or spoiler 54.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of illustrative, non-exclusiveexamples of a motion-damping system 100 according to the presentdisclosure. Motion-damping system 100 may be located within a mechanicalsystem 18, such as an aircraft 20, and is configured to damp relativemotion, vibration, and/or flutter between a base structure 21 and anattached component 40 that together define a gap 80 therebetween.

Motion-damping system 100 may include and/or be a passive motion-dampingsystem 100. As such, motion-damping system 100 may not include, beassociated with, be in communication with, and/or be regulated by acontrol system. Instead, motion-damping system 100 may be configured todamp the relative motion automatically and/or based upon one or morecharacteristics of the various components of motion-damping system 100.

Stated another way, motion-damping system 100 may not be activelycontrolled. Additionally or alternatively, motion-damping system 100 maynot be electrically powered, may not be electrically actuated, may notinclude electrical components, may be free of electrical components,and/or may be free of electrically actuated components. However, theseare not requirements for all embodiments.

As discussed, conventional motion-damping systems may include and/or behydraulic motion-damping systems. In addition, and as also discussed,such conventional motion-damping systems may be large, heavy, expensiveto install, and/or expensive to maintain. With this in mind,motion-damping systems 100 according to the present disclosure may notinclude hydraulic components, may be free of hydraulic components, maynot be hydraulically powered, and/or may not be hydraulic motion-dampingsystems.

Motion-damping system 100 includes a tubular structure 110 that extendswithin gap 80 when motion-damping system 100 is present withinmechanical system 18. Tubular structure 110 may be in physical contactwith base structure 21 and/or with attached component 40, and may bereferred to herein as forming an at least partial fluid seal with, orbetween, base structure 21 and attached component 40.

Motion-damping system 100 further includes at least one magneticassembly 140 and at least one magnetically active body 170. Magneticassembly 140 is illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 2 to indicate thatmagnetic assembly 140 may be present in and/or operatively affixed toany suitable portion of mechanical system 18. As an illustrative,non-exclusive example, magnetic assembly 140 may be present withinand/or may be operatively affixed to base structure 21. As anotherillustrative, non-exclusive example, magnetic assembly 140 may bepresent within and/or operatively affixed to attached component 40. Asyet another illustrative, non-exclusive example, magnetic assembly 140may be operatively affixed to tubular structure 110 and/or presentwithin an internal volume 114 that is defined by tubular structure 110.When magnetic assembly 140 is present within internal volume 114,magnetic assembly 140 may be configured to translate within internalvolume 114. Alternatively, a location of magnetic assembly 140 may befixed with respect to tubular structure 110 and/or internal volume 114thereof.

Similarly, magnetically active body 170 also is illustrated in dashedlines in FIG. 2 to indicate that magnetically active body 170 may bepresent in and/or operatively affixed to any suitable portion ofmechanical system 18. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example,magnetically active body 170 may be present within and/or operativelyaffixed to base structure 21. As another illustrative, non-exclusiveexample, magnetically active body 170 may be present within and/oroperatively affixed to attached component 40. As yet anotherillustrative, non-exclusive example, magnetically active body 170 may beoperatively affixed to tubular structure 110, may be defined by tubularstructure 110, and/or may be present within internal volume 114.

When magnetically active body 170 is present within internal volume 114,magnetically active body 170 may be configured to translate withininternal volume 114. Alternatively, a location of magnetically activebody 170 may be fixed with respect to tubular structure 110 and/orinternal volume 114 thereof. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example,tubular structure 110 may define an inner surface 113 that may defineinternal volume 114, and magnetically active body 170 may be operativelyaffixed to inner surface 113. As another illustrative, non-exclusiveexample, tubular structure 110 may define a recessed region 120, andmagnetically active body 170 may be located, at least partially, withinrecessed region 120.

Regardless of an exact location of magnetic assembly 140 and/or ofmagnetically active body 170 within mechanical system 18 and/or withinmotion-damping system 100 thereof, magnetic assembly 140 andmagnetically active body 170 may be oriented, or oriented relative toeach other, such that a magnetic interaction therebetween resists, ordamps, motion of attached component 40 relative to base structure 21. Asan illustrative, non-exclusive example, one of magnetic assembly 140 andmagnetically active body 170 may be located within tubular structure 110and the other of magnetic assembly 140 and magnetically active body 170may be operatively affixed to a selected one of base structure 21 andattached component 40. As another illustrative, non-exclusive example,magnetic assembly 140 and magnetically active body 170 may be orientedadjacent to one another and/or may be in magnetic communication with oneanother.

As a more specific but still illustrative, non-exclusive example,magnetic assembly 140 may be located within internal volume 114 oftubular structure 110 and magnetically active body 170 may beoperatively affixed to the selected one of base structure 21 andattached component 40. As another more specific but still illustrative,non-exclusive example, magnetic assembly 140 may be operatively affixedto the selected one of base structure 21 and attached component 40 andmagnetically active body 170 may be located within internal volume 114of tubular structure 110.

Magnetically active body 170 may include any suitable structure and/ormaterial of construction that may interact with and/or be attracted to amagnetic field that is generated by magnetic assembly 140. As anillustrative, non-exclusive example, magnetically active body 170 mayinclude and/or be a ferromagnetic body 172 that is formed from aferromagnetic material. As another illustrative, non-exclusive example,magnetically active body 170 may include and/or be an electricallyconductive body 174 that is formed from an electrically conductivematerial.

As yet another illustrative, non-exclusive example, magnetically activebody 170 may include both ferromagnetic body 172 and electricallyconductive body 174. When magnetically active body 170 includes bothferromagnetic body 172 and electrically conductive body 174, and asdiscussed in more detail herein, electrically conductive body 174 may belocated and/or may extend at least partially between ferromagnetic body172 and magnetic assembly 140. As an illustrative, non-exclusiveexample, ferromagnetic body 172 may be positioned to slide against, orwith respect to, electrically conductive body 174 during motion ofattached component 40 relative to base structure 21. As anotherillustrative, non-exclusive example, magnetic assembly 140 andferromagnetic body 172 may be oriented such that the magnetic forcetherebetween generates, or produces, a normal force betweenferromagnetic body 172 and electrically conductive body 174. This normalforce may generate a frictional force between ferromagnetic body 172 andelectrically conductive body 174 during relative motion therebetween,and this frictional force also may resist the motion of attachedcomponent 40 relative to base structure 21.

Magnetically active body 170 may define any suitable form, shape, size,and/or conformation. The form, shape, size, conformation, and/ormaterial of construction of magnetically active body 170 may be selectedand/or based, at least in part, on a desired level of magneticinteraction between magnetic assembly 140 and magnetically active body170, a desired magnitude of a magnetic force between magnetic assembly140 and magnetically active body 170, and/or on a desired level ofdamping that may be produced by motion-damping system 100 when presentwithin mechanical system 18.

When magnetically active body 170 includes ferromagnetic body 172,ferromagnetic body 172 may be formed from and/or may include anysuitable ferromagnetic material. As illustrative, non-exclusiveexamples, ferromagnetic body 172 may include and/or be formed from iron,a ferrite, silicon-ferrite, an iron-cobalt-vanadium alloy, a nickelalloy, and/or a magnetic alloy.

In addition, and when magnetically active body 170 includesferromagnetic body 172, magnetic assembly 140 and ferromagnetic body 172may be located and/or oriented relative to one another such that amagnetic force therebetween attracts attached component 40 to basestructure 21, attracts tubular structure 110 to base structure 21,and/or attracts tubular structure 110 to attached component 40.Additionally or alternatively, magnetic assembly 140 and ferromagneticbody 172 also may be located and/or oriented such that the magneticforce therebetween resists motion of attached component 40 relative tobase structure 21 and/or damps the motion of attached component 40relative to base structure 21.

When magnetically active body 170 includes electrically conductive body174, electrically conductive body 174 may be formed from and/or mayinclude any suitable electrically conductive material. As illustrative,non-exclusive examples, electrically conductive body 174 may includeand/or be formed from a metal, copper, brass, bronze, and/or aluminum.Additionally or alternatively, electrically conductive body 174 may notbe ferromagnetic and/or may not be formed from a ferromagnetic material.As such, electrically conductive body 174 may not, generally, bemagnetically attracted to magnetic assembly 140.

In addition, and when magnetically active body 170 includes electricallyconductive body 174, magnetic assembly 140 and electrically conductivebody 174 may be located and/or oriented relative to one another suchthat an eddy current, which may be generated within electricallyconductive body 174 by relative motion between electrically conductivebody 174 and magnetic assembly 140, resists motion of attached component40 relative to base structure 21 and/or damps the motion of attachedcomponent 40 relative to base structure 21.

When tubular structure 110 defines enclosed volume 114, enclosed volume114 may include and/or contain a viscoelastic material 130. Viscoelasticmaterial 130 may be located, sized, oriented, and/or affixed withinenclosed volume 114 such that viscoelastic material 130 is deformedduring motion of attached component 40 relative to base structure 21.This deformation of viscoelastic material 130 may dissipate energy,thereby damping the relative motion.

Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of viscoelastic material 130include any suitable polymer, high density polyethylene, rubber,silicone, silicone rubber, and/or polyurethane. Viscoelastic material130 may be (at least substantially) free of voids. Alternatively,viscoelastic material 130 may include and/or define one or more voids132 therein. Voids 132, when present, may be located, selected, and/orsized to convey a desired amount of viscoelasticity to viscoelasticmaterial 130. This may permit the viscoelasticity of viscoelasticmaterial 130, and thus an amount of energy that may be dissipated viadeformation of viscoelastic material 130, to be controlled, regulated,and/or selected to provide a desired level of damping by motion-dampingsystem 100.

When tubular structure 110 defines enclosed volume 114, a selected oneof magnetic assembly 140 and magnetically active body 170 may be locatedwithin enclosed volume 114, while the other of magnetic assembly 140 andmagnetically active body 170 may be external to enclosed volume 114.Thus, and when enclosed volume 114 contains viscoelastic material 130,viscoelastic material 130 may be in contact with, in direct contactwith, in physical contact with, in direct physical contact with,attached to, affixed to, and/or operatively affixed to inner surface 113and also to the selected one of magnetic assembly 140 and magneticallyactive body 170. Thus, motion of the selected one of magnetic assembly140 and magnetically active body 170 relative to tubular structure 110during motion of attached component 40 relative to base structure 21 mayproduce the deformation of viscoelastic material 130, therebydissipating energy and resisting and/or damping the relative motion.

As illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 2, mechanical system 18 and/ormotion-damping system 100 thereof may include one or more mountingstructures 112. Mounting structures 112 may be configured to operativelyaffix tubular structure 110 to base structure 21 or to attachedcomponent 40, thereby restricting relative motion between tubularstructure 110 and base structure 21 or attached component 40. As anillustrative, non-exclusive example, and as discussed, one of magneticassembly 140 and magnetically active body 170 may be operatively affixedto the selected one of base structure 21 and attached component 40, andmounting structure 112 may operatively affix tubular structure 110 tothe other of base structure 21 and attached component 40. As anotherillustrative, non-exclusive example, mounting structure 112 may notoperatively affix tubular structure 110 to the selected one of basestructure 21 and attached component 40. Illustrative, non-exclusiveexamples of mounting structures 112 include any suitable adhesive and/orfastener.

As discussed, motion-damping system 100 includes at least one magneticassembly 140 and at least one magnetically active body 170. As anillustrative, non-exclusive example, motion-damping system 100 mayinclude two magnetic assemblies 140, such as a first magnetic assemblyand a second magnetic assembly. In addition, motion-damping system 100also may include two magnetically active bodies 170, such as a firstmagnetically active body and a second magnetically active body.

When motion-damping system 100 includes two magnetic assemblies 140 andtwo magnetically active bodies 170, the first magnetic assembly and thefirst magnetically active body may be oriented such that a firstmagnetic interaction therebetween resists relative motion betweentubular structure 110 and base structure 21 and/or retains tubularstructure 110 in contact with base structure 21. Thus, the firstmagnetic assembly may be oriented adjacent to and/or in magneticcommunication with the first magnetically active body.

In addition, the second magnetic assembly and the second magneticallyactive body may be oriented such that a second magnetic interactiontherebetween resists relative motion between tubular structure 110 andattached component 40 and/or retains tubular structure 110 in contactwith attached component 40. Thus, the second magnetic assembly may beoriented adjacent to and/or in magnetic communication with the secondmagnetically active body. Under these conditions, motion-damping system100 may not include, or may not be required to include, mountingstructure 112.

Tubular structure 110 may define any suitable shape, profile, and/orcross-sectional shape. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, tubularstructure 110 may define a tubular shape and/or a hollow cylindricalshape. As additional illustrative, non-exclusive examples, tubularstructure 110 may define a circular cross-sectional shape, an at leastsubstantially circular cross-sectional shape, and/or a non-circularcross-sectional shape. As yet another illustrative, non-exclusiveexample, tubular structure 110 may include and/or be an elongate tubularstructure that defines a longitudinal axis that is (at leastsubstantially) parallel to gap 80. Additionally or alternatively, andwhen attached component 40 is configured to rotate relative to basestructure 21, the longitudinal axis may be at least substantiallyparallel to (or may be) a hinge axis for rotational relative motion(i.e., a rotation 60) between base structure 21 and attached component40.

Tubular structure 110 may include and/or be formed from any suitablematerial. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, tubular structure110 may be formed from a rigid, or at least substantially rigid,material. Thus, tubular structure 110 also may be referred to herein asa rigid tubular structure 110 and/or as an at least substantially rigidtubular structure 110. Additional illustrative, non-exclusive examplesof a material of construction of tubular structure 110 include anysuitable metallic material, composite material, and/or fiberglass-epoxycomposite material. When tubular structure 110 is formed from the rigid,or at least substantially rigid, material, the rigid material may beselected such that tubular structure 110 is not deformed, or is at leastsubstantially undeformed, during motion of attached component 40relative to base structure 21.

At least a portion of tubular structure 110 may be formed from, may bereinforced by, and/or may include a woven material. The woven materialmay increase a durability and/or an abrasion resistance of tubularstructure 110, thereby increasing a service life thereof. Illustrative,non-exclusive examples of the woven material include a glass fiber, ane-glass, a carbon fiber, a polymer, a polymer fiber, and/or apoly-paraphelylene terephthalamide.

Magnetic assembly 140 may include any suitable structure that maygenerate and/or produce the magnetic interaction between magneticassembly 140 and magnetically active body 170. As an illustrative,non-exclusive example, magnetic assembly 140 may include one or moremagnets 142. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of magnets 142 includeany suitable permanent magnet, superconducting magnet, and/orelectromagnet. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of the permanentmagnet include a neodymium permanent magnet (i.e., a NdFeB permanentmagnet), a Samarium-Cobalt permanent magnet (i.e., a SmCo permanentmagnet), and/or a ferrite permanent magnet.

When magnetic assembly 140 includes the plurality of magnets 142, theplurality of magnets 142 may define any suitable orientation relative toone another, relative to gap 80, relative to tubular structure 110,and/or relative to magnetically active body 170. Illustrative,non-non-exclusive examples of suitable relative orientations arediscussed in more detail herein.

In addition, and when magnetic assembly 140 includes the plurality ofmagnets 142, magnetic assembly 140 also may include one or moreferromagnetic flux return bars 144 and/or one or more electricalinsulators 146. Ferromagnetic flux return bars 144, when present, mayextend between oppositely polarized poles of two magnets 142. This mayincrease a magnitude of a magnetic force between the two magnets andmagnetically active body 170. Electrical insulators 146, when present,may electrically separate a first portion of the plurality of magnets142 from a second portion of the plurality of magnets 142. This mayprevent an electric current, such as may be generated by lighteningstriking mechanical system 18, from propagating along a length ofmagnetic assembly 140. More specific but still illustrative,non-exclusive examples of ferromagnetic flux return bars 144 and/or ofelectrical insulators 146, and configurations thereof, are discussedherein.

Ferromagnetic flux return bar 144 may include and/or be formed from anysuitable material. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples,ferromagnetic flux return bar 144 may include and/or be formed from aferromagnetic material, iron, a ferrite, silicon-ferrite, aniron-cobalt-vanadium alloy, a nickel alloy, and/or a magnetic alloy. Inaddition, ferromagnetic flux return bar 144 also may define any suitableshape. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, ferromagnetic fluxreturn bar 144 may define a planar, or at least substantially planar,shape. As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, ferromagneticflux return bar 144 may define a nonplanar, or nonlinear, shape. Whenferromagnetic flux return bar 144 is nonlinear, a conformation of theferromagnetic flux return bar may be selected to increase a magneticinteraction between magnetic assembly 140 (or magnets 142 thereof) andmagnetically active body 170.

Base structure 21 may include any suitable structure that may beoperatively attached to attached component 40. As illustrative,non-exclusive examples, base structure 21 may include and/or be avehicle, an automobile, a portion of an automobile, a train, a portionof a train, an aircraft, a portion of an aircraft, a wing of anaircraft, a horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft, and/or a verticalstabilizer of an aircraft.

Attached component 40 may include any suitable structure that may beattached to base structure 21 and/or that may be moved relative to basestructure 21. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, attachedcomponent 40 may include and/or be a window, a hood, a door, a trunk, aflap, a main landing gear door, a nose landing gear door, a rudder, anelevator, a slat, an aileron, and/or a spoiler.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of illustrative,non-exclusive examples of a motion-damping system 100 according to thepresent disclosure that may form a portion of a mechanical system 18. InFIG. 3, mechanical system 18 is an aircraft 20 (such as aircraft 20 ofFIGS. 1-2), base structure 21 is a wing 22 of aircraft 20, and attachedcomponent 40 is a flap 44 of aircraft 20, with the wing and the flapdefining a gap 80 therebetween. However, motion-damping system 100 ofFIG. 3 is not limited to this embodiment.

As illustrated, motion-damping system 100 includes a tubular structure110 that is located within gap 80 and that extends between basestructure 21 and attached component 40. Tubular structure 110 isoperatively affixed to base structure 21 via a mounting structure 112.Tubular structure 110 defines an enclosed volume 114 and has a generallyhollow cylindrical shape. Enclosed volume 114 may contain a viscoelasticmaterial 130, which may define a plurality of voids 132 therein.Enclosed volume 114 further contains a magnetically active body 170,which includes a ferromagnetic body 172 and an electrically conductivebody 174.

Motion-damping system 100 also includes a magnetic assembly 140.Magnetic assembly 140 is operatively affixed to attached component 40.As illustrated, magnetic assembly 140 and magnetically active body 170are oriented to permit magnetic interaction therebetween. In addition,electrically conductive body 174 is located between ferromagnetic body172 and magnetic assembly 140.

Magnetic assemblies 140 may include a single magnet 142 or a pluralityof magnets 142. Magnets 142 may define a north pole and a south pole.When magnetic assembly 140 includes a single magnet 142, the singlemagnet may be oriented such that both the north pole and the south polethereof are directed generally toward magnetically active body 170.Alternatively, the single magnet also may be oriented such that one ofthe north pole and the south pole is directed generally towardmagnetically active body 170, with the other of the north pole and thesouth pole being directed generally away from magnetically active body170. Alternatively, the north pole and/or the south pole may be directedgenerally transverse magnetically active body 170, transverse to a linethat extends between magnetic assembly 140 and magnetically active body170, and/or transverse to any other portion of motion-damping system100.

When magnetic assemblies 140 include a plurality of magnets 142, themagnets may be arranged in pairs 143 of magnets 142, and magneticassembly 140 also may include a ferromagnetic flux return bar 144. Underthese conditions, a first north pole of a first magnet 142 of the pair143 of magnets 142 may be oriented generally toward magnetically activebody 170 and/or away from ferromagnetic flux return bar 144. Inaddition, a second south pole of a second magnet 142 may be orientedgenerally toward magnetically active body 170 and/or away fromferromagnetic flux return bar 144.

Furthermore, the first south pole of first magnet 142 may be directedgenerally toward ferromagnetic flux return bar 144 and/or away from themagnetically active body 170. In addition, the second north pole ofsecond magnet 142 may be directed generally toward ferromagnetic fluxreturn bar 144 and/or away from magnetically active body 170. Thus,ferromagnetic flux return bar 144 may extend generally between the firstsouth pole and the second north pole.

Magnetic assembly 140 of FIG. 3 is illustrated as optionally including asingle pair 143 of magnets 142. However, it is within the scope of thepresent disclosure that magnetic assemblies 140 may include a pluralityof pairs 143 of magnets 142, as discussed in more detail herein.

As discussed, motion-damping system 100 may damp relative motion betweenbase structure 21 and attached component 40 utilizing a variety ofdamping (or energy dissipating) mechanisms. As an illustrative,non-exclusive example, and with reference to FIG. 3, motion of attachedcomponent 40 relative to base structure 21 may cause magnetic assembly140 to translate relative to electrically conductive body 174. This maygenerate eddy currents within electrically conductive body 174, andthese eddy currents may dissipate energy and resist, or damp, therelative motion. As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, amagnetic force between ferromagnetic body 172 and magnetic assembly 140may resist, or damp, the relative motion.

As yet another illustrative, non-exclusive example, ferromagnetic body172 may be in contact with electrically conductive body 174 but may notbe operatively affixed to electrically conductive body 174. Under theseconditions, the magnetic force between ferromagnetic body 172 andmagnetic assembly 140 during motion of attached component 40 relative tobase structure 21 may cause ferromagnetic body 172 to translate and/orrotate within internal volume 114 and/or to slide against electricallyconductive body 174. This sliding may dissipate energy and resist, ordamp, the relative motion due to frictional forces between ferromagneticbody 172 and electrically conductive body 174, as discussed herein.

As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, and when viscoelasticmaterial 130 is present within internal volume 114, viscoelasticmaterial 130 may be operatively affixed to a portion of an inner surface113 of tubular structure 110 and also to ferromagnetic body 172. Underthese conditions, motion of ferromagnetic body 172 within internalvolume 114, such as discussed herein, may produce deformation ofviscoelastic material 130. This deformation may dissipate energy andresist, or damp, relative motion between attached component 40 and basestructure 21.

FIG. 4 is another schematic representation of illustrative,non-exclusive examples of a motion-damping system 100 according to thepresent disclosure that may form a portion of a mechanical system 18. InFIG. 4, and similar to FIG. 3, mechanical system 18 is an aircraft 20,base structure 21 is a wing 22 of aircraft 20, and attached component 40is a flap 44 of aircraft 20 (such as aircraft 20 of FIGS. 1-2), withwing 22 and the flap 44 defining a gap 80 therebetween. However,motion-damping system 100 of FIG. 4 is not limited to this embodiment.

In FIG. 4 motion-damping system 100 includes a tubular structure 110.Tubular structure 110 defines an enclosed volume 114 that may contain aviscoelastic material 130. A plurality of magnetically active bodies 170is located within enclosed volume 114 and includes a first magneticallyactive body 181 and a second magnetically active body 182.

Motion-damping system 100 further includes a plurality of magneticassemblies 140, including a first magnetic assembly 151 and a secondmagnetic assembly 152. First magnetic assembly 151 is operativelyaffixed to base structure 21, and second magnetic assembly 152 isoperatively affixed to attached component 40. Each magnetic assembly 140includes a pair 143 of magnets 142 and a ferromagnetic flux return bar144. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that a polarity offirst magnetic assembly 151 may be (at least substantially) aligned witha polarity of second magnetic assembly 152. Alternatively it is alsowithin the scope of the present disclosure that the polarity of firstmagnetic assembly 151 may be (at least substantially) opposed to thepolarity of second magnetic assembly 152.

First magnetic assembly 151 and first magnetically active body 181 areoriented such that a first magnetic interaction therebetween resists, ordamps, relative motion between first magnetic assembly 151 and firstmagnetically active body 181 (or between tubular structure 110 and basestructure 21). Similarly, second magnetic assembly 152 and secondmagnetically active body 182 are oriented such that a second magneticinteraction therebetween resists, or damps, relative motion betweensecond magnetic assembly 152 and second magnetically active body 182 (orbetween tubular structure 110 and attached component 40).

First magnetically active body 181 may include an electricallyconductive body 174 and also may be referred to herein as a firstelectrically conductive body 181. Similarly, second magnetically activebody 182 may include an electrically conductive body 174 and also may bereferred to herein as a second electrically conductive body 182. Firstelectrically conductive body 181 may be spaced apart from secondelectrically conductive body 182 within internal volume 114.

Tubular structure 110 may define a plurality of recessed regions 120,including a first recessed region 121 and a second recessed region 122.A corresponding electrically conductive body 174 may be located withineach recessed region 120 to define a composite structure 190, whichincludes tubular structure 110 and electrically conductive bodies 174.Composite structure 190 may define an inner surface 192 that defines acircular, or at least substantially circular, internal diameter forcomposite structure 190.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the plurality of magnetically active bodies170 further may include a third magnetically active body 183 and afourth magnetically active body 184. Third magnetically active body 183may include a ferromagnetic body 172 and also may be referred to hereinas a first ferromagnetic body 183. Similarly, fourth magnetically activebody 184 may include a ferromagnetic body 172 and also may be referredto herein as a second ferromagnetic body 184. First ferromagnetic body183 may be spaced apart from second ferromagnetic body 184 withininternal volume 114.

As also illustrated in FIG. 4, first electrically conductive body 181may extend, or be located, between first ferromagnetic body 183 andfirst magnetic assembly 151 and/or between second ferromagnetic body 184and first magnetic assembly 151. Similarly, second electricallyconductive body 182 may be located between first ferromagnetic body 183and second magnetic assembly 152 and/or between second ferromagneticbody 184 and second magnetic assembly 152. In addition, firstferromagnetic body 183 may be in (direct) physical contact with firstelectrically conductive body 181 and/or with second electricallyconductive body 182. Second ferromagnetic body 184 also may be in(direct) physical contact with first electrically conductive body 181and/or with second electrically conductive body 182.

First ferromagnetic body 183 and second ferromagnetic body 184 may beconfigured to slide along inner surface 192 of composite structure 190during motion of attached component 40 relative to base structure 21. Inaddition, first ferromagnetic body 183 and first magnetic assembly 151may be oriented such that a first magnetic force therebetween compressesfirst electrically conductive body 181 and/or generates a first normalforce between first ferromagnetic body 183 and first electricallyconductive body 181. Similarly, second ferromagnetic body 184 and firstmagnetic assembly 151 may be oriented such that a second magnetic forcetherebetween compresses first electrically conductive body 181 and/orgenerates a second normal force between second ferromagnetic body 184and first electrically conductive body 181.

In addition, first ferromagnetic body 183 and second magnetic assembly152 may be oriented such that a third magnetic force therebetweencompresses second electrically conductive body 182 and/or generates athird normal force between first ferromagnetic body 183 and secondelectrically conductive body 182. Similarly, second ferromagnetic body184 and second magnetic assembly 152 may be oriented such that a fourthmagnetic force therebetween compresses second electrically conductivebody 182 and/or generates a fourth normal force between secondferromagnetic body 184 and second electrically conductive body 182.

In operation, the normal forces may produce frictional forces betweenferromagnetic bodies 172 and electrically conductive bodies 174. Thesefrictional forces may dissipate energy, thereby resisting, or damping,relative motion between attached component 40 and base structure 21. Inaddition, the relative motion may generate eddy currents withinelectrically conductive bodies 174. These eddy currents also maydissipate energy, thereby resisting, or damping, the relative motion.Furthermore, and when internal volume 114 includes viscoelastic material130, motion of first ferromagnetic body 183 and/or second ferromagneticbody 184 within internal volume 114 due to the relative motion betweenattached component 40 and base structure 21 may produce deformation ofviscoelastic material 130. This deformation also may dissipate energy,thereby resisting, or damping, the relative motion.

FIG. 5 is another schematic representation of illustrative,non-exclusive examples of a portion of a motion-damping system 100according to the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 5 provides anillustrative, non-exclusive example of a configuration of a magneticassembly 140 that may form a portion of motion-damping system 100.

In FIG. 5, magnetic assembly 140 includes a plurality of magnets 142that are arranged to form a plurality of pairs 143 of magnets 142. Eachof the plurality of pairs 143 of magnets 142 includes, is associatedwith, and/or is in magnetic communication with a ferromagnetic fluxreturn bar 144. In addition, each pair 143 of magnets 142 includes afirst magnet that defines a first south pole that is directed generallytoward ferromagnetic flux return bar 144 and a second magnet thatdefines a second north pole that is directed generally towardferromagnetic flux return bar 144. Thus, each pair 143 of magnets 142includes a first north pole that is directed generally away fromferromagnetic flux return bar 144 and a second south pole that isdirected generally away from ferromagnetic flux return bar 144.

In the illustrative, non-exclusive example of FIG. 5, each pair 143 inthe plurality of pairs 143 of magnets 142 is aligned beside one or moreadjacent pairs 143 to define a longitudinal axis 148 of magneticassembly 140. This longitudinal axis may be parallel to and/or may be alongitudinal axis of a gap that is defined between a base structure 21and an attached component 40 when magnetic assembly 100 is assembledwithin a mechanical system (such as mechanical system 18 of FIGS. 1-4).It is within the scope of the present disclosure that a polarity of agiven pair 143 of magnets 142 may be (at least substantially) the sameas a polarity of an adjacent pair 143 of magnets 142 within magneticassembly 140. Alternatively, it is also within the scope of the presentdisclosure that the polarity of the given pair 143 of magnets 142 may be(at least substantially) opposed to the polarity of the adjacent pair143 of magnets 142 within magnetic assembly 140.

FIG. 5 also illustrates that magnetic assembly 140 further may includeone or more electrical insulators 146. Electrical insulators 146 mayextend between a given pair 143 of magnets and an adjacent pair 143 ofmagnets, thereby resisting a flow of electric current therebetween, asdiscussed in more detail herein.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting methods 200 according to the presentdisclosure of damping motion between a base structure and an attachedcomponent. Methods 200 may include providing a motion-damping system at210 and/or locating the motion-damping system within a gap that isdefined between a base structure and an attached component at 220.Methods 200 further may include rotating the attached component relativeto the base structure at 230.

Providing the motion-damping system at 210 may include providing anysuitable motion-damping system. As an illustrative, non-exclusiveexample, the providing at 210 may include providing motion-dampingsystem 100 of FIGS. 1-5. It is within the scope of the presentdisclosure that the providing at 210 may include fabricating themotion-damping system, constructing the motion-damping system,purchasing the motion-damping system, ordering the motion-dampingsystem, and/or otherwise obtaining the motion-damping system in anysuitable manner and/or from any suitable source such that themotion-damping system may be utilized during the locating at 220.

Locating the motion-damping system within the gap that is definedbetween the base structure and the attached component at 220 may includelocating the motion-damping system in any suitable manner. As anillustrative, non-exclusive example, the locating at 220 may includelocating such that a tubular structure of the motion-damping systemextends between and/or is in physical contact with the base structureand the attached component. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples oforientations and/or conformations for the motion-damping system withinthe gap are discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

Rotating the attached component relative to the base structure at 230may include rotating the attached component in any suitable manner. Asan illustrative, non-exclusive example, the rotating at 230 may includepivoting the attached component relative to the base structure.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the rotating at230 may include deforming, at 232, a portion of the motion-dampingsystem. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the motion-dampingsystem may include a viscoelastic material, and the deforming at 232 mayinclude deforming the viscoelastic material. Illustrative, non-exclusiveexamples of the viscoelastic material and/or of locations thereof withinthe motion-damping system are discussed herein. As discussed,deformation of the viscoelastic material may dissipate energy, therebyresisting, or damping, the rotating at 230.

Additionally or alternatively, it is also within the scope of thepresent disclosure that the moving at 230 may include generating, at234, an eddy current within an electrically conductive body and/orwithin a ferromagnetic body that forms a portion of the motion-dampingsystem. When methods 200 include the generating at 234, the eddy currentmay dissipate energy, thereby resisting, or damping, motion of theattached component relative to the base structure. Illustrative,non-exclusive examples of the electrically conductive body are discussedherein with reference to electrically conductive body 174 of FIGS. 2-4.Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of the ferromagnetic body arediscussed herein with reference to magnetically active body 170 of FIGS.2-4.

It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the moving at230 may include permitting, at 236, the tubular structure to moverelative to the base structure and/or relative to the attachedcomponent. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the permitting at236 may include permitting the tubular structure to move, slip, and/orslide relative to the base structure and/or relative to the attachedcomponent.

The motion-damping system may include the electrically conductive bodyand the ferromagnetic body. Under these conditions, the rotating at 230further may include producing, at 238, a relative motion between theelectrically conductive body and the ferromagnetic body. As anillustrative, non-exclusive example, the producing at 238 may includerotating, sliding, and/or translating the ferromagnetic body and theelectromagnetic body relative to one another. As another illustrative,non-exclusive example, the producing at 238 may include sliding one ofthe ferromagnetic body and the electrically conductive body against, orrelative to, the other of the ferromagnetic body and the electricallyconductive body. The producing at 238 may be resisted by a frictionalforce between the electrically conductive body and the ferromagneticbody, and this frictional force may dissipate energy, thereby resisting,or damping, the rotating at 230.

Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of inventive subject matteraccording to the present disclosure are described in the followingenumerated paragraphs:

A1. A motion-damping system that is configured to damp relative motionbetween a base structure and an attached component, the systemcomprising:

an at least substantially rigid tubular structure that defines aninternal volume, wherein the base structure and the attached componentdefine a gap therebetween, and further wherein the tubular structureextends within the gap;

a magnetic assembly; and

a magnetically active body, wherein:

(i) one of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body islocated within the tubular structure;

(ii) the other of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active bodyis operatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and theattached component; and

(iii) the magnetic assembly is in magnetic communication with themagnetically active body such that a magnetic interaction therebetweenresists motion of the attached component relative to the base structure.

A2. The system of paragraph A1, wherein the magnetically active body isoriented adjacent to and in magnetic communication with the magneticassembly.

A3. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A2, wherein at least a portion,and optionally all, of the magnetically active body is at least one of:

(i) located within the internal volume of the tubular structure; and

(ii) defined by the tubular structure.

A4. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A2, wherein at least a portion,and optionally all, of the magnetically active body is operativelyaffixed to the selected one of the base structure and the attachedcomponent.

A5. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A4, wherein the magneticallyactive body includes a ferromagnetic body that is formed from aferromagnetic material.

A6. The system of paragraph A5, wherein the ferromagnetic materialincludes at least one of iron, a ferrite, silicon-ferrite, aniron-cobalt-vanadium alloy, a nickel alloy, and a magnetic alloy.

A7. The system of any of paragraphs A5-A6, wherein the magnetic assemblyand the ferromagnetic body are oriented such that a magnetic forcetherebetween attracts the attached component and the base structure toone another.

A8. The system of any of paragraphs A5-A7, wherein the magnetic assemblyand the ferromagnetic body are oriented such that a/the magnetic forcetherebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to thebase structure.

A9. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A8, wherein the magneticallyactive body includes an electrically conductive body that is formed froman electrically conductive material.

A10. The system of paragraph A9, wherein the electrically conductivematerial includes at least one of a metal, copper, brass, bronze, andaluminum.

All. The system of any of paragraphs A9-A10, wherein the electricallyconductive material is not ferromagnetic.

AU. The system of any of paragraphs A9-A11, wherein the magneticassembly and the electrically conductive body are oriented such that aneddy current generated within the electrically conductive body byrelative motion between the electrically conductive body and themagnetic assembly resists motion of the attached component relative tothe base structure.

A13. The system of any of paragraphs A9-A12, wherein the tubularstructure defines an inner surface, and further wherein the electricallyconductive body is operatively affixed to the inner surface.

A14. The system of any of paragraphs A9-A13, wherein the tubularstructure defines a recessed region, the electrically conductive body islocated within the recessed region, and further wherein the tubularstructure and the electrically conductive body together define acomposite structure that defines an inner surface that defines an atleast substantially circular internal diameter.

A15. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A14, wherein the magneticallyactive body includes a/the ferromagnetic body and a/the electricallyconductive body.

A16. The system of paragraph A15, wherein the electrically conductivebody is located between the ferromagnetic body and the magneticassembly.

A17. The system of any of paragraphs A15-A16, wherein the ferromagneticbody is positioned to slide against the electrically conductive bodyduring motion of the attached component relative to the base structure.

A18. The system of any of paragraphs A15-A17, wherein the magneticassembly and the ferromagnetic body are oriented such that a magneticforce therebetween generates a normal force between the ferromagneticbody and the electrically conductive body, and further wherein thenormal force generates a frictional force between the ferromagnetic bodyand the electrically conductive body that resists motion of the attachedcomponent relative to the base structure.

A19. The system of any of paragraphs A15-A18, wherein the tubularstructure defines the electrically conductive body.

A20. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A19, wherein the tubularstructure is a rigid tubular structure.

A21. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A20, wherein the tubularstructure is formed from at least one of a metallic material, acomposite material, and a fiberglass-epoxy composite material.

A22. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A21, wherein the tubularstructure is at least substantially undeformed during motion of theattached component relative to the base structure.

A23. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A22, wherein the tubularstructure defines an at least substantially cylindrical shape.

A24. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A23, wherein the tubularstructure defines a longitudinal axis that is at least substantiallyparallel to the gap.

A25. The system of paragraph A24, wherein the longitudinal axis is atleast substantially parallel to, and optionally is, a hinge axis forrotational relative motion between the base structure and the attachedcomponent.

A26. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A25, wherein the system furtherincludes a viscoelastic material that is located within the internalvolume of the tubular structure.

A27. The system of paragraph A26, wherein the viscoelastic material isoperatively affixed to the one of the magnetic assembly and themagnetically active body.

A28. The system of any of paragraphs A26-A27, wherein the viscoelasticmaterial is operatively affixed to at least a portion of a/the innersurface of the tubular structure.

A29. The system of any of paragraphs A26-A28, wherein the viscoelasticmaterial is in physical contact with the one of the magnetic assemblyand the magnetically active body.

A30. The system of any of paragraphs A26-A29, wherein the magneticallyactive body is located within the internal volume of the tubularstructure and includes a/the ferromagnetic body and a/the electricallyconductive body, and further wherein the viscoelastic material isoperatively attached to the ferromagnetic body.

A31. The system of any of paragraphs A26-A30, wherein the viscoelasticmaterial includes at least one of a polymer, high density polyethylene,rubber, silicone rubber, and polyurethane.

A32. The system of any of paragraphs A26-A31, wherein the viscoelasticmaterial defines a plurality of voids.

A33. The system of any of paragraphs A26-A32, wherein motion of theattached component relative to the base structure deforms theviscoelastic material, and further wherein the viscoelastic material isselected to dissipate energy during deformation to resist motion of theattached component relative to the base structure.

A34. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A33, wherein the magneticassembly includes at least one of a permanent magnet, a superconductingmagnet, and an electromagnet.

A35. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A34, wherein the magneticassembly includes a permanent magnet, optionally wherein the permanentmagnet includes at least one of a NdFeB permanent magnet, a SmCopermanent magnet, and a ferrite permanent magnet.

A36. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A35, wherein the magneticassembly includes a magnet that defines a north pole and a south pole.

A37. The system of paragraph A36, wherein the magnet is oriented suchthat at least one, and optionally both, of the north pole and the southpole are directed (at least substantially) toward the magneticallyactive body.

A38. The system of paragraph A36, wherein the magnet is oriented suchthat one of the north pole and the south pole is directed (at leastsubstantially) toward the magnetically active body and the other of thenorth pole and the south pole is directed (at least substantially) awayfrom the magnetically active body.

A39. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A38, wherein the magneticassembly includes a pair of magnets, which includes a first magnet and asecond magnet, wherein a first north pole of the first magnet isdirected (at least substantially) toward the magnetically active body,wherein a first south pole of the first magnet is directed (at leastsubstantially) away from the magnetically active body, wherein a secondnorth pole of the second magnet is directed (at least substantially)away from the magnetically active body, and further wherein a secondsouth pole of the second magnet is directed (at least substantially)toward the magnetically active body.

A40. The system of paragraph A39, wherein the magnetic assembly furtherincludes a ferromagnetic flux return bar, wherein the ferromagnetic fluxreturn bar extends between the first south pole and the second northpole.

A41. The system of paragraph A40, wherein the ferromagnetic flux returnbar is formed from a ferromagnetic material.

A42. The system of any of paragraphs A40-A41, wherein the ferromagneticflux return bar is an at least substantially planar ferromagnetic fluxreturn bar.

A43. The system of any of paragraphs A40-A41, wherein the ferromagneticflux return bar is nonplanar, and further wherein a conformation of theferromagnetic flux return bar is selected to increase the magneticinteraction between the magnetic assembly and the magnetically activebody.

A44. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A43, wherein the magneticassembly includes a plurality of pairs of magnets.

A45. The system of paragraph A44, wherein each of the plurality of pairsof magnets includes a corresponding ferromagnetic flux return bar.

A46. The system of any of paragraphs A44-A45, wherein the plurality ofpairs of magnets is aligned along a longitudinal axis of the gap.

A47. The system of any of paragraphs A44-A45, wherein a polarity of agiven pair of magnets of the plurality of pairs of magnets is the sameas a polarity of an adjacent pair of magnets of the plurality of pairsof magnets.

A48. The system of any of paragraphs A44-A45, wherein a polarity of agiven pair of magnets of the plurality of pairs of magnets is opposed toa polarity of an adjacent pair of magnets of the plurality of pairs ofmagnets.

A49. The system of any of paragraphs A44-A48, wherein an electricalinsulator extends between a/the given pair of magnets of the pluralityof pairs of magnets and a/the adjacent pair of magnets of the pluralityof pairs of magnets.

A50. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A49, wherein the tubularstructure is operatively affixed to one of the base structure and theattached component.

A51. The system of paragraph A50, wherein the system further includes amounting structure that operatively affixes the tubular structure to theone of the base structure and the attached component.

A52. The system of any of paragraphs A50-A51, wherein the tubularstructure is not affixed to the other of the base structure and theattached component.

A53. The system of any of paragraphs A50-A52, wherein:

(i) the magnetically active body is located within the internal volumeof the tubular structure; and

(ii) the magnetic assembly is operatively affixed to the other of thebase structure and the attached component.

A54. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A49, wherein the magneticassembly is a first magnetic assembly and the motion-damping systemfurther includes a second magnetic assembly, wherein the magneticallyactive body is a first magnetically active body and the motion-dampingsystem further includes a second magnetically active body, wherein thefirst magnetic assembly and the first magnetically active body areoriented such that a first magnetic interaction therebetween resistsrelative motion between the first magnetic assembly and the firstmagnetically active body, and further wherein the second magneticassembly and the second magnetically active body are oriented such thata second magnetic interaction therebetween resists relative motionbetween the second magnetic assembly and the second magnetically activebody.

A55. The system of paragraph A54, wherein the first magnetic assembly isoperatively affixed to the base structure, wherein the second magneticassembly is operatively affixed to the attached component, wherein thefirst magnetically active body is located within the internal volume ofthe tubular structure, and further wherein the second magneticallyactive body is located within the internal volume of the tubularstructure.

A56. The system of paragraph A55, wherein a polarity of the firstmagnetic assembly is at least substantially aligned to a polarity of thesecond magnetic assembly.

A57. The system of paragraph A55, wherein a polarity of the firstmagnetic assembly is at least substantially opposed to a polarity of thesecond magnetic assembly.

A58. The system of any of paragraphs A55-A57, wherein the firstmagnetically active body includes a first electrically conductive body,wherein the second magnetically active body includes a secondelectrically conductive body, and further wherein the system includes athird magnetically active body and a fourth magnetically active body,wherein the third magnetically active body includes a firstferromagnetic body, and further wherein the fourth magnetically activebody includes a second ferromagnetic body.

A59. The system of paragraph A58, wherein the first electricallyconductive body is spaced apart from the second electrically conductivebody.

A60. The system of any of paragraphs A58-A59, wherein the firstferromagnetic body is spaced apart from the second ferromagnetic body.

A61. The system of any of paragraphs A58-A60, wherein the firstelectrically conductive body extends between the first ferromagneticbody and the first magnetic assembly.

A62. The system of any of paragraphs A58-A61, wherein the secondelectrically conductive body extends between the second ferromagneticbody and the second magnetic assembly.

A63. The system of any of paragraphs A58-A62, wherein the firstferromagnetic body is in physical contact with the first electricallyconductive body, and optionally with the second electrically conductivebody.

A64. The system of any of paragraphs A58-A63, wherein the secondferromagnetic body is in physical contact with the second electricallyconductive body, and optionally with the first electrically conductivebody.

A65. The system of any of paragraphs A58-A64, wherein the tubularstructure defines a first recessed region and a second recessed region,wherein the first electrically conductive body is received within thefirst recessed region, wherein the second electrically conductive bodyis received within the second recessed region, and further wherein thetubular structure, the first electrically conductive body, and thesecond electrically conductive body together define a/the compositestructure that defines an/the inner surface that defines an/the at leastsubstantially circular internal diameter.

A66. The system of paragraph A65, wherein the first ferromagnetic bodyand the second ferromagnetic body are configured to slide along theinner surface during motion of the attached component relative to thebase structure.

A67. The system of any of paragraphs A58-A66, wherein the firstelectrically conductive body is at least substantially opposed to thefirst magnetic assembly.

A68. The system of any of paragraphs A58-A67, wherein the secondelectrically conductive body is at least substantially opposed to thesecond magnetic assembly.

A69. The system of any of paragraphs A58-A68, wherein the firstferromagnetic body and the first magnetic assembly are oriented suchthat a first magnetic force therebetween compresses the firstelectrically conductive body, and optionally wherein the firstferromagnetic body and the second magnetic assembly are oriented suchthat a second magnetic force therebetween compresses the secondelectrically conductive body.

A70. The system of any of paragraphs A58-A69, wherein the secondferromagnetic body and the second magnetic assembly are oriented suchthat a third magnetic force therebetween compresses the secondelectrically conductive body, and optionally wherein the secondferromagnetic body and the first magnetic assembly are oriented suchthat a fourth magnetic force therebetween compresses the firstelectrically conductive body.

A71. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A70, wherein the motion-dampingsystem is not a hydraulic motion-damping system.

A72. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A71, wherein the motion-dampingsystem is not hydraulically powered.

A73. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A72, wherein the motion-dampingsystem is not actively controlled.

A74. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A73, wherein the motion-dampingsystem is not electrically powered.

A75. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A74, wherein the motion-dampingsystem is a passive motion-damping system.

A76. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A75, wherein the motion-dampingsystem damps at least one of vibration and flutter between the basestructure and the attached component.

A77. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A76, wherein the magneticassembly is located within the internal volume of the tubular structure,and further wherein the magnetically active body is operatively attachedto the selected one of the base structure and the attached component.

A78. The system of paragraph A77, wherein the magnetic assembly isconfigured to translate within the internal volume of the tubularstructure.

A79. The system of paragraph A77, wherein a location of the magneticassembly is fixed with respect to the tubular structure.

A80. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A76, wherein the magneticassembly is operatively attached to the selected one of the basestructure and the attached component, and further wherein themagnetically active body is located within the internal volume of thetubular structure.

A81. The system of paragraph A80, wherein the magnetically active bodyis configured to translate within the internal volume of the tubularstructure.

A82. The system of paragraph A80, wherein a location of the magneticallyactive body is fixed with respect to the tubular structure.

B1. A mechanical system, comprising:

a base structure;

an attached component, wherein the attached component is attached to thebase structure and is configured to move relative to the base structure,and further wherein the base structure and the attached component definea gap therebetween; and

the motion-damping system of any of paragraphs A1-A82.

B2. The system of paragraph B1, wherein the base structure includes atleast one of a vehicle, an automobile, a portion of an automobile, atrain, a portion of a train, an aircraft, and a portion of an aircraft.

B3. The system of any of paragraphs B1-B2, wherein the attachedcomponent includes at least one of a window, a hood, a door, a trunk, aflap, a main landing gear door, a nose landing gear door, a rudder, anelevator, a slat, an aileron, and a spoiler.

C1. A method of damping motion between a base structure and an attachedcomponent, the method comprising:

providing the motion-damping system of any of paragraphs A1-A82; and

locating the motion-damping system within the gap that is definedbetween the base structure and the attached component such that themotion-damping system resists motion of the attached component relativeto the base structure.

C2. The method of paragraph C1, wherein the method further includesrotating the attached component relative to the base structure.

C3. The method of paragraph C2, wherein the rotating includes generatingan eddy current within an/the electrically conductive body that forms aportion of the motion-damping system.

C4. The method of paragraph C3, wherein the eddy current resists motionof the attached component relative to the base structure.

C5. The method of any of paragraphs C2-C4, wherein the rotating includesat least one of permitting the tubular structure to rotate relative tothe base structure and permitting the tubular structure to rotaterelative to the attached component.

C6. The method of any of paragraphs C2-05, wherein the rotating includesdeforming a/the viscoelastic material that is located within theinternal volume of the tubular structure.

C7. The method of paragraph C6, wherein the deforming includesdissipating energy with the viscoelastic material during the deforming.

C8. The method of any of paragraphs C2-C7, wherein the magneticallyactive body includes a/the ferromagnetic body and a/the electricallyconductive body, and further wherein the rotating includes sliding theferromagnetic body against the electrically conductive body.

C9. The method of paragraph C8, wherein the sliding includes dissipatingenergy via a frictional force between the ferromagnetic body and theelectrically conductive body.

D1. A method of damping motion between a base structure and an attachedcomponent with a motion-damping system that extends within a gap that isdefined between the base structure and the attached component, whereinthe motion-damping system includes a magnetic assembly and amagnetically active body, the method comprising:

rotating the attached component relative to the base structure to rotatethe magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body relative to oneanother; and

dissipating energy with the motion-damping system.

D2. The method of paragraph D1, wherein the dissipating energy includesgenerating an eddy current within an electrically conductive body thatforms a portion of the magnetically active body via a magneticinteraction between the magnetic assembly and the electricallyconductive body.

D3. The method of paragraph D2, wherein the method further includesresisting motion of the attached component relative to the basestructure with the eddy current.

D4. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D3, wherein the motion-dampingsystem includes a tubular structure, wherein one of the magneticassembly and the magnetically active body is located within the tubularstructure, wherein the other of the magnetic assembly and themagnetically active body is operatively attached to a selected one ofthe base structure and the attached component, and further wherein therotating includes permitting the tubular structure to rotate relative tothe selected one of the base structure and the attached component.

D5. The method of paragraph D4, wherein the rotating includes deforminga viscoelastic material that is located within an internal volume of thetubular structure.

D6. The method of paragraph D5, wherein the deforming includes resistingmotion of the attached component relative to the base structure with theviscoelastic material.

D7. The method of any of paragraphs D5-D6, wherein the dissipatingenergy includes dissipating energy via the deforming.

D8. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D7, wherein the magneticallyactive body includes a ferromagnetic body and an/the electricallyconductive body, and further wherein the rotating includes sliding theferromagnetic body against the electrically conductive body.

D9. The method of paragraph D8, wherein the dissipating energy includesdissipating energy via a frictional force that is generated between theferromagnetic body and the electrically conductive body during thesliding.

D10. The method of paragraph D9, wherein the method further includesresisting motion of the attached component relative to the basestructure with the frictional force.

D11. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D10, wherein the magneticallyactive body includes a/the ferromagnetic body, and further wherein thedissipating energy includes dissipating energy via a magnetic forcebetween the magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body.

D12. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D11, wherein the motion-dampingsystem includes the motion-damping system of any of paragraphs A1-A82.

As used herein, the terms “selective” and “selectively,” when modifyingan action, movement, configuration, or other activity of one or morecomponents or characteristics of an apparatus, mean that the specificaction, movement, configuration, or other activity is a direct orindirect result of user manipulation of an aspect of, or one or morecomponents of, the apparatus.

As used herein, the terms “adapted” and “configured” mean that theelement, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intendedto perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms “adapted” and“configured” should not be construed to mean that a given element,component, or other subject matter is simply “capable of” performing agiven function but that the element, component, and/or other subjectmatter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized,programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function.It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that elements,components, and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as beingadapted to perform a particular function may additionally oralternatively be described as being configured to perform that function,and vice versa. Similarly, subject matter that is recited as beingconfigured to perform a particular function may additionally oralternatively be described as being operative to perform that function.

The various disclosed elements of apparatuses and steps of methodsdisclosed herein are not required to all apparatuses and methodsaccording to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure includesall novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of thevarious elements and steps disclosed herein. Moreover, one or more ofthe various elements and steps disclosed herein may define independentinventive subject matter that is separate and apart from the whole of adisclosed apparatus or method. Accordingly, such inventive subjectmatter is not required to be associated with the specific apparatusesand methods that are expressly disclosed herein, and such inventivesubject matter may find utility in apparatuses and/or methods that arenot expressly disclosed herein.

1. A motion-damping system that is configured to damp relative motionbetween a base structure and an attached component, the systemcomprising: an at least substantially rigid tubular structure thatdefines an internal volume, wherein the base structure and the attachedcomponent define a gap therebetween, and further wherein the tubularstructure extends within the gap; a magnetic assembly; and amagnetically active body, wherein: (i) one of the magnetic assembly andthe magnetically active body is located within the tubular structure;(ii) the other of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active bodyis external to the internal volume of the tubular structure andoperatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and theattached component; and (iii) the magnetic assembly is in magneticcommunication with the magnetically active body such that a magneticinteraction therebetween resists motion of the attached componentrelative to the base structure.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein themagnetically active body includes a ferromagnetic body that is formedfrom a ferromagnetic material, and further wherein the magnetic assemblyand the ferromagnetic body are oriented such that a magnetic forcetherebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to thebase structure.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the magneticallyactive body includes an electrically conductive body that is formed froman electrically conductive material, and further wherein the magneticassembly and the electrically conductive body are oriented such that aneddy current generated within the electrically conductive body byrelative motion between the electrically conductive body and themagnetic assembly resists motion of the attached component relative tothe base structure.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the magneticallyactive body includes a ferromagnetic body and an electrically conductivebody.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the electrically conductive bodyis located between the ferromagnetic body and the magnetic assembly, andfurther wherein the ferromagnetic body is positioned to slide againstthe electrically conductive body during motion of the attached componentrelative to the base structure.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein themagnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body are oriented such that amagnetic force therebetween generates a normal force between theferromagnetic body and the electrically conductive body, and furtherwherein the normal force generates a frictional force between theferromagnetic body and the electrically conductive body that resistsmotion of the attached component relative to the base structure.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the tubular structure is a rigid tubularstructure.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includesa viscoelastic material that is located within the internal volume ofthe tubular structure.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein theviscoelastic material is in physical contact with one of the magneticassembly and the magnetically active body, and further wherein theviscoelastic material is operatively affixed to at least a portion of aninner surface of the tubular structure.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the magnetic assembly includes a magnet that defines a northpole and a south pole.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the magneticassembly includes a pair of magnets, which includes a first magnet and asecond magnet, wherein a first north pole of the first magnet isdirected toward the magnetically active body, wherein a first south poleof the first magnet is directed away from the magnetically active body,wherein a second north pole of the second magnet is directed away fromthe magnetically active body, wherein a second south pole of the secondmagnet is directed toward the magnetically active body, and furtherwherein the magnetic assembly further includes a ferromagnetic fluxreturn bar, wherein the ferromagnetic flux return bar extends betweenthe first south pole and the second north pole.
 12. The system of claim1, wherein the magnetic assembly includes a plurality of pairs ofmagnets, wherein each of the plurality of pairs of magnets includes acorresponding ferromagnetic flux return bar, and further wherein theplurality of pairs of magnets is aligned along a longitudinal axis ofthe gap.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein an electrical insulatorextends between a given pair of magnets of the plurality of pairs ofmagnets and an adjacent pair of magnets of the plurality of pairs ofmagnets.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the tubular structure isoperatively affixed to one of the base structure and the attachedcomponent.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein: (i) the magneticallyactive body is located within the internal volume of the tubularstructure; and (ii) the magnetic assembly is operatively affixed to theother of the base structure and the attached component.
 16. The systemof claim 1, wherein the magnetic assembly is a first magnetic assemblyand the motion-damping system further includes a second magneticassembly, wherein the magnetically active body is a first magneticallyactive body and the motion-damping system further includes a secondmagnetically active body, wherein the first magnetic assembly and thefirst magnetically active body are oriented such that a first magneticinteraction therebetween resists relative motion between the firstmagnetic assembly and the first magnetically active body, and furtherwherein the second magnetic assembly and the second magnetically activebody are oriented such that a second magnetic interaction therebetweenresists relative motion between the second magnetic assembly and thesecond magnetically active body.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein thefirst magnetic assembly is operatively affixed to the base structure,wherein the second magnetic assembly is operatively affixed to theattached component, wherein the first magnetically active body islocated within the internal volume of the tubular structure, and furtherwherein the second magnetically active body is located within theinternal volume of the tubular structure.
 18. The system of claim 16,wherein the first magnetically active body includes a first electricallyconductive body, wherein the second magnetically active body includes asecond electrically conductive body, and further wherein the systemincludes a third magnetically active body and a fourth magneticallyactive body, wherein the third magnetically active body includes a firstferromagnetic body, and further wherein the fourth magnetically activebody includes a second ferromagnetic body.
 19. The system of claim 18,wherein the first electrically conductive body extends between the firstferromagnetic body and the first magnetic assembly, and further whereinthe second electrically conductive body extends between the secondferromagnetic body and the second magnetic assembly.
 20. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the first ferromagnetic body is in physical contactwith the first electrically conductive body, and further wherein thesecond ferromagnetic body is in physical contact with the secondelectrically conductive body.
 21. The system of claim 18, wherein thetubular structure defines a first recessed region and a second recessedregion, wherein the first electrically conductive body is receivedwithin the first recessed region, wherein the second electricallyconductive body is received within the second recessed region, whereinthe tubular structure, the first electrically conductive body, and thesecond electrically conductive body together define a compositestructure that defines an inner surface that defines an at leastsubstantially circular internal diameter, and further wherein the firstferromagnetic body and the second ferromagnetic body are configured toslide along the inner surface during motion of the attached componentrelative to the base structure.
 22. The system of claim 18, wherein thefirst ferromagnetic body and the first magnetic assembly are orientedsuch that a first magnetic force therebetween compresses the firstelectrically conductive body, and further wherein the secondferromagnetic body and the second magnetic assembly are oriented suchthat a second magnetic force therebetween compresses the secondelectrically conductive body.
 23. A mechanical system, comprising: themotion-damping system of claim 1 the base structure; and the attachedcomponent.
 24. A method of damping motion between a base structure andan attached component, the method comprising: providing themotion-damping system of claim 1; and locating the motion-damping systemwithin the gap that is defined between the base structure and theattached component such that the motion-damping system resists motion ofthe attached component relative to the base structure.